Ten years ago, the Durkin family suffered a horrendous loss, when their daughter Katie tragically passed away. Katie was a shining star, who personified kindness, caring and thoughtfulness, three traits that the Durkins looked to share when they created the Butterfly Foundation in her honor. We see every day in our community the impact that the Butterfly Foundation has had, in the name of Katie. Whether it be the Butterfly Athletic Park at Wales Primary, the Redhawks Roost Concession Stand at Iroquois, or the Redhawk Nest Project at the Intermediate school – Katie has made a mark on all of us. And that includes EMW Baseball and Softball. The Butterfly Foundation is, and has been one of our biggest benefactors. From annual jersey sponsorships, to a field named in Katie’s honor, they continue to support us as they have the entire community.
But all things must come to an end, with the ten year anniversary of the Foundation’s beginnings, the Durkins have decided to close the doors on one chapter of their lives. But not without one last opportunity to give back to the community. They have graciously reached out to us to partner one last time to help raise money for a worthy cause.
But we need your help!
For every dollar that we raise from now until April 1st , the Butterfly Foundation will match dollar for dollar (up to our $30,000 goal). The plan is to use the money raised to put back into the fields at Creek Road: including installation of three new dugouts on the rear fields (Rookie Boys and Girls and Minor Girls). Anything left over will be used to improve and maintain the other fields and existing dugouts. We hope to have all the work done in April so that we can celebrate the 2026 season and Katie at our First Annual Opening Day Celebration on May 9th. Every donation will be displayed on our Community Fundraising Sign that will be proudly displayed at the fields.
You can donate in any one of these three ways:
-Visit our CheddarUp Fundraiser Site Dugout Dreams Fundraiser
-Reach out to [email protected] for Cash or Check donations
For more information you can reach out to us at [email protected], or log on to our socials (@EMWLittleLeague on Instagram, EMW Baseball & Softball on Facebook)
